Paddy Foran

New England, The White Mountains, Cannon

Paddy Foran's Passions

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Paddling

Skiing

Climbing

Paddy Foran's Bio

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I am lucky enough to have a job that pays me to play outside! Teaching at an outdoor focused boarding school in New Hampshire gives me the opportunity not only to live and play in the North Country but also to share my passion for the outdoors with my students. I strive to be a four season athlete: running, climbing, back packing and canoeing in the spring, summer and fall and skiing and ice climbing in the winter - Northern New England is the perfect place to do it all!

Skiing on a budget has me out every day in my Radiums. These boots are warm and comfortable for lapping at the resort, riding the sled to the skin track or ripping untouched pow. The walk-mode is fluid and these boots clamp down tightly. Obviously, these are not intended to be a daily-driver, but they are a little softer than I would like. Besides that, sick boot!

Initial impressions of the Stoic Bombshell bib indicate they are a solid piece of outer wear. I'm 6'2/195lbs and the large fit perfectly. Baggy enough to be comfortable but not too much to be impractical for backcountry travel. The bib is detachable and the zippers are bombproof. They have an extensive array of pockets and moisture beads right off. My only gripes are with the seemingly small thigh vents and the slightly tight bottom. They go over my Garmont Radium, but a little more width at the cuff of the pant would prevent the unsteezy riding up.

This has been the worst ski season in recent memory here in New Hampshire - no snow, fluctuating temperatures, rain, ice - the worst! The AMPs have saved my season. They are big, they have fat, rockered tips, they have sick graphics, they turn heads in the lift line. I have yet to ski them in deep snow - but I know they will be a dream to ski. I have been blown away by how well they hold an edge on firmer, groomer runs. I can lay out big, fast, arching GS turns with confidence. If they carve and shred the frustratingly bad hard-pack of New Hampshire all you lucky SOBs out West will love them. For you East Coast dreamers who live by the mantra, "its as deep as you imagine it to be," this ski will bring the fun back into a horrible winter. For you suckers out West complaining about your "lack" of snow this year, this ski will slay the open bowls and bring you back to the chair with a smile on your face. All the time rocking the purple and green geometric top sheet.

Part of my job has me leading backcountry trips with high school kids. Coffee is essential for me and my co-leaders - this Press delivers 2 perfect cups each morning! GSI has manufactured a press that is durable and light weight. After a week of use I found the to be solidly constructed and easy to clean. It makes a great cup of coffee and limits the amount of grounds that sneak their way in. The neoprene sleeve does a great job of insulating the press. It has a perfectly placed handle as well to making pouring a breeze. Unless you are a caffeine addict a 30oz capacity might be on the large side, but for several people this press is perfect.

This is a classtic ATC. Nothing fancy, no textured grooves like to ATC/XP. It gets the job done and does it very well. I have used it inside, outside and during the winter climbing ice and have enjoyed its superior performance. A truly quality product.

This is a super warm jacket. It repels moisture well, synthetic insulation keeps you warm even if it gets wet. I'm 6-2, 200 lbs. and have the large. This make its a comfortable "form fit." I use it as a layer under a hard shell. In retrospect, I would have gone XL and worn it over my others layers - but no big deal. I have been comfortable in this jacket in temps ranging from the high 40s to when you actually need an 800-fill down parka. The pocket size is ample and the hood is massive. So large in fact, that it wears awkwardly without a helmet. My only major gripe with this jacket is the lack of any sort of synching on the back of the hood. Minus that, this is a fantastic, light-weight and extremely packable puffy.

This stove burns jut about anything flammable, although burning non-stove specific fuels are likely to increase carbon buildup. Luckily with the shaker-jet, a few shakes should do the trick to clean it out. This stove requires some practice and a little finesse to master. Poor technique as a teenager left me with singed eye brows. That being said, I currently use these as part of a school outdoor ed. program and our students are quickly able to master the stove. The stove boils water pretty quickly and it is relatively easy to control the intensity of the burn. In the days of cartridge stoves carrying liquid fuel may seem cumbersome, but this stove's easy of use and maintenance makes it worth it

Glop Stopper wax is a necessary addition for any touring pack. Apply it before you start skinning to prevent ice and snow build up. My only suggestion, and this might seem obvious to some, keep it in a plastic bag, otherwise you might ruin your sunglasses!

With a winter of touring and 100 miles of backpacking, these poles are proving their worth! They are strong and light-weight. The locking mechanism holds true regardless of the conditions. I successfully tore the strap out of the pole by getting it caught on a tree but was able to epoxy it back on and the poles aren't worse for the ware. Recognize that you are buying a one-part collapsible pole so it collapses down to about the size of a packed 4500 cu in. pack - which tends to bother ticket agents when you are checking your bag at the airport. Minus this, for the price think of it as a backcountry pole and a trekking pole for the price of one. A wicked sweet deal!

32oz is enough space for just about any trail meal. With the screw on top storing left-overs is incredibly easy. Also, washing is a breeze. Just screw on the top and give it a good shake with some boiling water - just make sure the top is screwed on really tightly. The most valuable feature of this product is the measuring cup gradations. With this, there is no linger a need for estimating or trying to use a Nalgene. All-around this is a well-made and versatile product.

Its light-weight, its virtually indestructible. Pasta will evade it and soup will seep through - but seriously, is a spork! Buy it because its cheap, its versatile, and when you are hungry after a long day, it puts the food in your mouth.

I bought these on a whim when looking for a pair of pants for ice climbing. Though I intended them for one use, they have become my go-to pant for outdoor activities. With fleece pants underneath they are perfect for ice climbing and other winter activities where you are moving. The material is relatively thick so I was skeptical to use them for summer hiking. I found however, that they regulate temperature very well. These are a sturdily constructed pant perfect for a wide variety of activities in all but the coldest or warmest of conditions.

I have taken this pack out on multi-day backpacking trips in the Selway-Bitteroot in Idaho, the Teton Wilderness and Wyoming and the White Mountains in New Hampshire. Whether for 3 days or 6, this pack remains comfortable. First off, I really enjoy the sleeping bag compartment. I find it large enough to store a summer bag and a sleeping pad. The interior of the pack is roomy and accessible from multiple points. The brain of the pack is spacious as well. The pack has an interior sleeve for a hydration bladder. My only complaints are the lack of a clip for a hydration tube, although it works to simply slide the tube between the strap and padding, and the sizing of the hip strap. At 6'2 I use the size large. However, coming it at around 200 lbs, I find myself tightening the hip strap to its maximum and still wouldn't mind it a tab tighter. I hear it is possible to change out the hip straps but I am not sure. Regardless, if you are looking for a roomy, practical and comfortable for multi-day backpacking trips, the Baltoro 70 should definitely be considered.

Setting up the skins, sizing them to my skis and cutting them was a breeze. I use with my Line Prophet 90's and found the 110mm to be a great fit. The tail attachment works great with twin tips. On a tour to the summit of Mount Washington did fantastically for most of the way up. The temperature gradient was pretty extreme and I found that they iced up a little bit and as a result with the angle increased they slipped occasionally and forced me to boot pack it up a few steep sections. Minus this, I am impressed with of easy they go on and come off and with their performance in general. I look forward to a few more trips up the cog and into Tucks' this spring.

Unlike the BD trim tool, the G3 tool is designed to make a straight cut that leaves just the edges exposed. No need to stress about wavering cuts or unequal trimming. Trimming your skins is simple with the G3 tool.

As stated in other reviews the shell material, especially, the lighter color part, seems rather flimsy. Which honestly isn't surprising, this isn't a shell, its a layer! I wore it skiing today, temps in the 20s with wind gusts in the 20s as well. This jacket proved 100% windproof and was toasty warm while skiing and surprisingly comfortable on the lift. I am 6-2 185 and found the large to be a perfect fit.

Embrace the jacket for what it is, a warm layer with some windproofing. Its not going to keep you warm when the temps plummet nor will it hold up against a brush with a tree or a sharp ski edge, but throw a shell over it and you'll be warmer than your friends!